Amazon announces Kindle Paperwhite, starting at $119

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Tablets are a lot of fun, but very few devices are able to replace an actual book. The E-Ink display in previous generations of Amazon’s Kindle devices are really great for reading just about anywhere. Today, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is hopping on stage to announce the next generation of their Kindle e-readers that are designed to blur the lines between the normal e-reader and the backlit tablet.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is a serious improvement over the way we look at screens right now. Instead of backlit display, the new Kindle has a front-lit one, which causes the light to spread evenly and doesn’t take away from the book feel when reading it. This new “paperwhite” display has 62% more pixels, putting it at 212 PPI. The light level from this display is completely adjustable. Amazon explains this patented screen is the result of thin, flat optical cables that distribute light across the screen and allows it to function well in both direct sunlight as well as a darkened room.

This version of the kindle has been optimized for the increased resolution, allowing for more granular font control and a UI that focuses on a very personal experience. You can see the covers of the books in your library as soon as you turn the device on, and the OS measures your activity on any given book and provides you feedback based on that information. Instead of telling you how many pages are left in the book, or what your percent to completion is, the Kindle will simply tell you how many hours you have left in the book.

Amazon touts that this Kindle will get you 8 weeks of battery like, and will be available on October 1 for $119. The 3G model will sell for $189. There was no mention of the Special Offers versions.